City planning workshop
HOLLISTER
– The city of Hollister Planning Department is hosting a series
of workshops about zoning ordinance revisions to allow for public
input. The next meeting will discuss the west gateway to the city,
which includes commercial and residential land uses of 25 to 40
units per acre. The area includes the
west entrance to Hollister on Fourth Street. It includes
properties along Fourth Street between Line Street and Azul
Court.
The meeting is Monday, Sept. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 pm. at
Calaveras School, 1151 Buena Vista Road. For more information, call
the planning department at 636-4360.
City planning workshop
HOLLISTER – The city of Hollister Planning Department is hosting a series of workshops about zoning ordinance revisions to allow for public input. The next meeting will discuss the west gateway to the city, which includes commercial and residential land uses of 25 to 40 units per acre. The area includes the west entrance to Hollister on Fourth Street. It includes properties along Fourth Street between Line Street and Azul Court.
The meeting is Monday, Sept. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 pm. at Calaveras School, 1151 Buena Vista Road. For more information, call the planning department at 636-4360.
Calling young artists
HOLLISTER – Union Bank of California and Staples are seeking young artists ages 12-18 to participate in its sixth annual Young Artist Contest. Entry forms are available through Oct. 15 at Union Bank’s Hollister branch, 1730 Airline Hwy. or online at www.unionbank.com/youngartist. Participants may submit an original 8 1/2 by 11 inch drawing based on the theme “Hispanic Heritage/Culture.”
While the contest is in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month youth of all ethnicities may enter. Winners will be selected in two categories the end of October, 12-15 and 16-18. The winning student will receive $1,000 and their school will also receive $1,000. Second and third place winners will receive $500 and $250.
Local racing horse earns first place in Red Cell West/Southwest Challenge
EVANSTON, WY – Snowbound Superstar, a four-year old gray Gelding owned by Tommy Brinkley of Hollister, earned first place in the $22,140 Red Cell West/Southwest Challenge at Wyoming Downs in August.
Snowbound Superstar was ridden by Cody Jensen and trained by Paul C. Jones, and won the 870-yard race with a time of 43:819. The race was part of the Bank of America Quarter Horse Racing Challenge, a $4.3 million series of 59 regional races held throughout the United States as well as Canada, Mexico and South America. Snowbound Superstar is eligible to take part in the challenge championships on Saturday, Nov. 3 in Los Alamitos.
Class of ’87 planning 20-year reunion
HOLLISTER – The planning committee for San Benito High School’s Class of 1987 is trying to locate members regarding the upcoming 20-year class reunion, set for Saturday, Sept. 29.
The reunion will be held at the Sainte Claire Hotel in downtown San Jose. A buffet dinner will be catered by Il Fornaio. Doors open at 7 p.m. The celebration will go on until 1 a.m. Tickets are now $90 per person. For more information, go to www.87party.com or the event page at http://the.87party.com.
Builders of San Juan luncheon to be held this weekend
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – The San Juan Bautista Historical Society is holding a “Builders of San Juan” luncheon Saturday, Sept. 8 at Doña Esther’s Restaurant, on the corners of Third and Franklin streets beginning at 11 a.m. Members of the Historical Society will be on hand to greet guests, and guests will have the opportunity to buy an autographed copy of the new book “San Juan Bautista” by Carla Hendershot and Joe McMahon.
The Historical Society will talk about its hope to restore the Chalmers House as a museum and other upcoming events. For more information, call 623-2001.
VTA lowers pass fees
GILROY – The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority reduced fares Sept. 1 for all categories of day passes, youth and senior/disabled monthly passes in an effort to increase ridership.
Youth monthly passes are $40. Senior/Disabled monthly passes are$20.
Day passes, which are convenient for riders making more than two trips a day, or trips requiring transfers, will also save on their fares. Adult day passes are $5. Express day passes are $10. Youth day Passes are $4 and senior/disabled passes are $2.
VTA riders may also purchase an eight-hour excursion pass, priced at the cost of two one-way fares, to ride the light rail system for eight hours after the purchase of the ticket. For more information, call 408-321-2330 or visit www.vta.org.
Learn to store underground water
APTOS – An underground water storage seminar will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1001 Fern Flat Road in Aptos. The seminar will include a presentation by Bruce Arthur of Rain Source Water, a division of Pondsaway, Inc.
Participants can help build a 2,000 gallon rainwater collection system which will capture and store water for landscaping during the dry season as well as learn about making rain boxes out of recycled materials, rainwater harvesting, hidden water storage, water conservation and storm water runoff reduction. Cost is $79 per person and includes a morning snack and lunch. To register or for more information, call 479-3878 or go to www.rainsourcewater.com.
Conservation Corps helps in Lake Tahoe
SACRAMENTO – The California Conservation Corps continues to help with recovery efforts in Lake Tahoe since the Angora fire.
“We were the first ones on the ground after the fire was out and may be the last to leave,” a spokesperson said. “We’re here to protect the lake and prevent another disaster in the future.”
After the fire was out Corps members removed dead trees, installed sandbag walls, straw tubing and silt fences to stop erosion. They have also helped with hand-mulching and seeding.
People between the ages of 18 and 25 who are not on probation or parole are eligible to join the Corps, though there is currently a waiting list. For more information call 1-800-952-JOBS (1-800-952-5627) or visit. ccc.ca.gov.
Highway 25 bypass update
HOLLISTER – Motorists and pedestrians should anticipate lane closures on Sunnyslope Road, Airline Hwy., San Felipe Road and McCloskey Road throughout the week. Flaggers will be on McCloskey Road and Santa Ana Road between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day but Thursday.
Anticipate slower traffic conditions and allow for additional time when traveling in these areas. Watch for increased pedestrian traffic in school zones on Meridian Street and Santa Ana Road.
Some sidewalks at the intersection of Sunnyslope Road and Airline Highway and along Hillcrest road remain closed. Always use designated sidewalks and walkways to ensure your safety.
The contractor is continuing work on construction of sound walls throughout the project area.
To find out more about this project, visit www.highway25bypass.com.
Patriot Pen contest opens
HOLLISTER – Hollister VFW Post 9242 will award a $200 prize to the winner of this year’s Patriot’s Pen essay contest, open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8 in San Benito County. Rules and entry forms are available at the county Office of Education on Fifth Street next to the county library. Deadline for entries is Thursday, Nov. 1. Contest chairman is Bob Burnham of Hollister, who may be reached at 638-1703.
